Hey guys! Been a member since May2003 and it has been about 10 years since I have been back on this site but its great to see it is still going strong. I had a 2003 TL Type S and had heavily modded it over the years because of all the guys on this forum. I had to finally get rid of it last month and now looking either a 2018 TLX or a 2021 TLX. I am starting to read through the forums to see if there are any known major issues. I got hit by the transmission issue on the 2003 TL Type S twice which was VERY VERY annoying. First time at around 36k miles which they completely covered and then again at 96k miles which after some negotiations they agreed to cover half which was still a pretty penny. Hoping there aren't some major issues like this also as well.

I will keep doing my research but if you guys are able to help point in the right direction, I would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to visiting this forum much more frequently again.

 

we just bought a 2019 TLX A spec with V6 and AWD for my wife. It drives really nice and we are generally happy. The 9 speed trans is "OK" - not as quick is the ZF 8 speed in the Audit S4 we ha but not as bad as I was expecting reading some of it's criticisms. So far I'd say 95% if the time is is more than adequate.

I had to drop the car at the dealer yesterday for a detailing we got as part of the purchase and they gave me a 2021 TLX A Spec - turbo 4 with the 10 speed tranny. The interior was definitely a major step forward compared to our 2019. The technology is worlds ahead. Acceleration, ride and handling felt about the same - I almost preferred the 2019 in terms of handling - but I'd say a toss up. The seats and steering wheel was improved in the 2021.

In our case, we got a 2019 CPO'd car with 13K miles and saved over $15K compared to a 2021. How much do you want to spend for the new technology/interior improvements - for us, it wasn't worth another $15K.

One of the annoying things with the 2021, and maybe there was a setting, but I could not get the 2021 to remember the drive setting so I had to select "sport" every time I re-started the car. Getting used to the new touch pad would probably take a day or two to get use to as well but after that I am sure it would be intuitive.

 

First, you need to test drive the car and gather your own initial thoughts. The 2003 TL Type S and that TLX are two completely different vehicles. I moved on from a 07 TL to my 15 TLX Advance and it just felt completely different. Ride completely differently, handles different, deliver power different, and not even comparable tbh. The TLX is a farcry from the sporty feel of the 07 TL, but I still love my TLX. I find the TLX to be a comfier vehicle (with the 18-20' to be even comfier with those updated seats), fuel efficient (can't believe the average mpg I get with a v6 AND with VCM muzzler), and how light the car feels (though I do miss hydraulic power steering).

I've had my transmission replaced less than 10k miles ago and it's been fine since, better than day 1 (as expected). 5 years of ownership and hopefully many more years to come.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I fully understand that it has a different feel. I have driven the 2018 and 2019 as loaners and will definitely do another test drive. I haven't test driven the 2021 yet though.

How many miles did you have on it before you needed to replace the transmission?

 

Little over 72k miles. Though I had taken it in for 3 updates and they all were bandaid fixes. There was no obvious sign that the coolant and ATF mixed, but the tech at my dealership said "just put it as a (specific transmission TSB)" and they opened it up to find fluid starting to mix in the ATF warmer, it just didn't make its way to my radiator yet. Took me about 1.5yrs of bringing it in before mine finally got replaced. So it seems they're more "ticking bombs" than anything.

 

If you are buying an 2018+ model the transmission is not a worry. The 2015 and possibly early 2016 they had problems and replacement was often the solution. This is fairly well known on the forums (avoid the 2015 with the zf9 trans). Haven't really heard of any 2018 or even 2017 having any issues. I had a 2018 for 3+ years and no issues but did install the VCM muzzler after about a year or so and felt that was a nice upgrade. I tended to drive it on the harder side and liked that "upgrade". For the years you are looking at reliability should not be an issue. If you are getting sh-awd (which after having it I would never not get that option if available) then just test drive the 18-20 model years to make sure they don't have any vibration issue around 65 to 70 mph on the highway. Some people had issues with that but the car either has it or does not. Not an issue that develops over time so if it rides fine then it should be of no concern. Then again if your looking at a 4 cyl 18-20 then no sh-awd, no need to check for vibration and no worry about trans on the early model years.

 

Have just over 15K miles on our 2019 Aspec SH-AWD V6, and have no issues with the transmission or highway speed vibrations. This forum, like all car enthusiast forums, will grab a bone (issues with early nine speed transmissions) and will not let go. Just give one a good test drive and see for yourself. Make sure you run through all four settings - Eco through Sport +. Keep ours in Sport mode and am fairly amazed at the decent gas mileage, right at 25 mpg.

 

 

The vibration issue is really car specific. Nothing to do with miles. You have it or you don't. Trans modes make no difference. Sport mode is the only mode to drive that car in. If you are using anything less than why bother buying the V6 at all? Sport + while a good intention on Acuras part is really a novelty. Not practical for any period of time.

 

I've never had any vibration issue, but, I do have the FWD V6 model, not the SH-AWD.

When I read that the new (2021?) TLX is "50% stiffer", well, I'm glad I haven't had the chance to test drive one yet, because I think I'd want to upgrade mine too badly. I've got over 35,000 miles on my TLX so far, and no significant problems other than ones related to Android Auto (if you use iPhone, you should be fine). My car is in the shop today because of problems w/phone volume and songs stutter/pausing after a few seconds intermittently. They tried to tell me that they might have a hard time fixing it. Well, so, why would that be MY problem? Just fix it, doesn't matter what you have to do, don't make it the customer's problem, right?

 

I had a 2021 TLX A Spec as a service loaner for my 2019 TLX V6 A Spec, AWD. I thought the technology on the 2021 was 21st century modern, the 4 cly turbo and 10 speed trans were nice, but I thought the handling of my 2019 was better than the 2021.

 

I had the same similar issue with music pausing. Always when using the usb cable connection. Tried different cables, different phones. Solution was always to unplug the USB cable and plug it in again. I don't think there is any fix. Happened on my 17 and 18 along with 3 different phones. Only commonality was Acura. Never happens in the Audi.

 

Drove a bunch of 2018s, 2019s and 2021s at the dealers over the past few weeks. Definitely like the 2021 but probably will settle on the 2018s or 2019s. If I cant find a decent deal on the 2018 or 2019, will splurge on the 2021.

 

Thanks a lot! Will have to research how to install the VCM.

 

• Mileage: 15,163

2018 Acura TLX 3.5L V6 w/Technology & A-Spec Packages

$27,500 a good price? Looks like it is in good shape